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rowan

American  
[roh-uhn, rou-] / ˈroʊ ən, ˈraʊ- /

noun

  1. the European mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, having pinnate leaves and clusters of bright red berries.

  2. either of two American mountain ashes, Sorbus americana or S. sambucifolia.

  3. the berry of any of these trees.


rowan British  
/ ˈraʊ-, ˈrəʊən /

noun

  1. another name for the (European) mountain ash

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rowan

1795–1805; < Old Norse *raun- in reynir, Norwegian raun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Almost 30,000 native trees of Irish provenance, such as oak, alder and rowan, have been planted on the 41-acre site which is situated at Lenamore Wood, near Gortin in Omagh.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The moose mostly ate birch, rowan and willow trees.

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2023

Many parts of the UK have seen an abundance of seeds and nuts such as acorns, beech masts, rowan berries and elderberries including the east of England, North and Northern Ireland.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2022

Flavored with Scottish rowan berry among other botanicals.

From Washington Post • Sep. 27, 2021

Valerian points to the rowan necklace that dangles around my throat, dried red berries threaded onto a long silver chain.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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